School-based programs: One community organization's effort to partner with schools and increase students' participation in healthy behaviors

a. The project was designed to evaluate whether a school-based program can increase students' and their families' participation in healthy behaviors. The outcomes measured: 1) increases in children's awareness, interest, and knowledge of anatomy, fitness, nutrition, stress and goal-setting. 2) increases in the likelihood of children making heart healthy choices by creating SMART goals, and 3) increase in parent-child conversations about healthy behaviors after the program was completed. The program was conducted at 3 schools in King County: 2 private schools (Our Lady of the Lake and Open Window School) and 1 public school (Rock Creek Elementary). 290 pre tests were collected; a sample size of 165 was analyzed, 277 post tests were collected; a sample size of 161 was analyzed. This sampling strategy produced a 95% confidence level on the analysis (+/- 5 confidence interval). Students also completed health logs where they set short-term goals. Successful goals met specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time-bound criteria. A random sample of ten parents was also interviewed to establish their perceptions of the outcomes, benefits and impact of the program on their children and families. Awareness increased slightly on the post survey when compared to the pre survey. Areas of improvement included eating nutritious foods and talking with family about healthy choices. On over half of the knowledge questions, there was a significant increase in the percentage of correct answers. Students learned new concepts by completing the program and were able to apply this knowledge through goal-setting to school and home life.